Thread: DSATX Showing Under/Over temp at ~75F

I've done a bit more searching, and answered one of my questions, and thought of a couple more.

It looks like I can reset factory defaults using the brain stem connection.

So, new questions..

1) When I'm connected to the DSATX via a COM port, should I see some feedback in the HyperTerm window?

2) If I leave the DSATX connected to a PC via the COM port, and the computer is starting up, is it normal for the computer to reset?

3) Is it possible to connect to the DSATX and set the advanced settings when ACC is not present?

Thanks again.

Okay.. A bit further testing has (I think) revealed the problem.

First, to clarify, I had to set the terminal encoding to "VT100" from "Auto" to get proper connectivity with the DSATX through HyperTerm.

After doing so, I reset to factory defaults, and tried again. Same result.

I then disconnected and reconnected power, and the diagnostics output revealed that the DSATX thought it was -68C. This was indoors, in southern california, probably actually +80F or so.

Seems the temperature sensor failed around the same time that I was making some other changes. Made it seem like it was related, but I think it was co-incidence.

How do I get this serviced? I'd rather not buy a whole 'nother one if the temp sensor is the only problem.

Also, while I had my COM connection working, I tried setting the "EARLYAUXCUT" to 1 and instead of the whole command being on one line I.E.

Code:

S251

It turned out that every character caused a new line.

Code:

S
2
5
1

Until I get it repaired, it doesn't much matter, but is that the correct way to set this advanced setting? Is it normal for it to print each character on a new line?

Thanks!

Seems like a bunch of people are having issues with the brainstem.

Here are some pointers.

Don't Hot-Plug the brainstem! Hot plugging it causes it to hiccup the micro controller and causes weird results.

If you do hot plug it and you want it to behave normal, do the following:

Take a Jumper and short pins JP1 A2 and B2. Be very careful when you do this. (Don't randomly short out everything with tweezers.) Shorting A2 to B2 will reset any weirdness you created from hot-plugging your brainstem.

Then when you want to set paramters you must (E)nable writing first. A capital E will then ask you if you want the DSATX to burn the EEPROM with new settings as you type. Yes. Then you won't get line feeds for every key as your typing an S command.

F and O will turn on and off the Feed Diagnostic Output. If you type, you should see an echo. That means you have hyperterminal setup right.. If you type and you don't see anything, your not setup right.


The brainstem is plugged in right if it goes into the 4 pin connector without trouble. The circuit board should not hit the white housing.


-Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the response.

I successfully shorted pins A2 and B2, both with VIN & ACC present, and without.

I then connected with the brainstem (temp still showing -68C) and typed

Code:

E
y
D
y

Then reset by bringing VIN & ACC low again. Still showing -68C.

Also typing "E" and answering yes, didn't seem to make a difference when entering an "S" command.

There is a chance that in the process of troubleshooting this, I may have shorted A1 to A2. At one point I confused that with the USER_SW pin pair and attached a switch to it. Not sure if I ever toggled the switch though.

If I had, could that have ruined anything?

Anything else to try, or should I just order a new PSU?

Thanks again for your prompt help!

P.S. I'm using a 9v battery at the moment to power the DSATX to communicate via the brainstem for the purposes of tweaking, and setting these settings, if that makes any sort of difference.

Originally Posted by cherrybomb

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the response.

I successfully shorted pins A2 and B2, both with VIN & ACC present, and without.

I then connected with the brainstem (temp still showing -68C) and typed

Code:

E
y
D
y

Then reset by bringing VIN & ACC low again. Still showing -68C.

Also typing "E" and answering yes, didn't seem to make a difference when entering an "S" command.

There is a chance that in the process of troubleshooting this, I may have shorted A1 to A2. At one point I confused that with the USER_SW pin pair and attached a switch to it. Not sure if I ever toggled the switch though.

If I had, could that have ruined anything?

Anything else to try, or should I just order a new PSU?

Thanks again for your prompt help!

P.S. I'm using a 9v battery at the moment to power the DSATX to communicate via the brainstem for the purposes of tweaking, and setting these settings, if that makes any sort of difference.

Is that the only thing that is messed up? Does the feed output read 9 volts ok?

The 9 volt battery is fine. It works just fine if ACC is also held high.

I guess you could have a fried temp sensor, but it would be the first time. That thing uses almost no power..

If you have a volt meter you can measure the pins around U4 which is near P2. That is the temp sensor.

Put the negative side of the Volt meter on the GND terminal lug where the power comes in for convenience, then Probe U4.

The pin on U4 that is farthest away from the P2 pot should read .55 volts (20 degrees C).

The other pin should read around 5 volts and then one should read 0 volts.

Originally Posted by cherrybomb

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the response.

I successfully shorted pins A2 and B2, both with VIN & ACC present, and without.

I then connected with the brainstem (temp still showing -68C) and typed

You mean you had the brainstem connected and then shorted the pins? The reset is to fix the effects of hot plugging the brainstem.

Originally Posted by zootjeff

You mean you had the brainstem connected and then shorted the pins? The reset is to fix the effects of hot plugging the brainstem.

Yes, all of the above was with the brainstem physically attached.

It wasn't until after I shorted the pins that I used HyperTerm to communicate, and do the "reset to factory defaults".

Originally Posted by zootjeff

Is that the only thing that is messed up? Does the feed output read 9 volts ok?

The 9 volt battery is fine. It works just fine if ACC is also held high.

I guess you could have a fried temp sensor, but it would be the first time. That thing uses almost no power..

If you have a volt meter you can measure the pins around U4 which is near P2. That is the temp sensor.

Put the negative side of the Volt meter on the GND terminal lug where the power comes in for convenience, then Probe U4.

The pin on U4 that is farthest away from the P2 pot should read .55 volts (20 degrees C).

The other pin should read around 5 volts and then one should read 0 volts.

Sorry, just realized that you had responded twice.

Looks like the VIN diagnostics is reading 00.00 volts. :-( The pins on U4 read approximately as you stated, so it sounds good. Perhaps I screwed something else up.

Here's a couple diag output lines.

Code:

DSATX:-068.0:00.00:00.00:00.00:00.00:09.98:0000:NYNN:6:0000
DSATX:-068.0:00.00:00.00:00.00:00.00:09.98:0000:NYNN:6:0000
DSA:00.:00.00:0.0000.

DSATX:-000:000:0.0:00.0AX:+E4.800.00:0.0:00.00:0.000:99

Also, if it's of any further use. The board shows Rev 1.6, and the sticker on the back, which I assume is a serial number, is D432606.

I'm getting the sense that I may have done something to cause the firmware to freak out, or I have a defective unit. Bummer. :-(